ONE in seven rapists is jailed for less than four years, figures revealed yesterday.

The figures come in the wake of ­Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke’s vow to “reflect carefully” on his proposals to halve all sentences for offenders – including rapists – who plead guilty at the earliest opportunity.

Mother-of-two Gabrielle Browne, the victim of an attempted rape, met Mr Clarke earlier this week after declaring on the radio that his plans to cut sentences were a “disaster”.

She said she had now been persuaded that his ideas were “fair enough” in an attempt to reduce victims’ trauma and cut costs.

Of the 984 rapists jailed last year, 134 were given four years or less, the ­Ministry of Justice figures showed. But 188 were given more than 10 years.

A total of 13 rapists were sentenced to life in prison, with 180 jailed indefinitely for public protection.

Statistics also showed yesterday that only one person was jailed last year for every 93 crimes committed.

A total of 9,485,000 crimes were committed in 2010, but only 101,500 offenders were jailed.

Offenders with 15 or more previous convictions or cautions rose by more than 78 per cent over the past decade to 96,710 last year. Justice Minister Jonathan Djanogly said: “This is ­further evidence that we need urgent reform to tackle reoffending.

“The justice system must continue to properly punish the guilty and protect communities by locking up serious and dangerous criminals.

“But it also needs to address ­reoffending by putting in place demanding programmes of both punishment and reform.”